Why join the chamber?

Joining your area's Chamber of Commerce can be a smart move for your business. Because businesses that participate in this group promote each other and work together, your own business can grow and prosper quickly. Here are the top 10 reasons why you should join your local chamber of commerce.

Gain a voice in government

The local chamber takes on the tough issues and opposes new regulations, taxes, fees, assessments and costs directed at small businesses. It also helps protect the principles of free enterprise and aids businesses in being treated fairly.

Increase your visibility in the community

As a new member of the chamber, you may be listed in the chamber newsletter, e-newsletter, on Facebook and can have the opportunity to be highlighted in other chamber publications. You also can grow your business by advertising with the chamber and sponsoring events.

Membership brings credibility to your business

You can increase positive perception among consumers and business owners when you’re identified as a member of a chamber of commerce. If you make it known that your product or service makes great client or employee gifts, you could wind up with a very nice flow of business from your fellow members.

Promotion and publicity

With a chamber membership, you can reach potential clients through member exclusive advertising and opportunities for business-to-business advertising and publicity.

Create networking opportunities

Chambers have numerous committees and serving on one of them provides numerous networking opportunities as well as professional leadership development. You can build your business while promoting developments of keen interest to local businesses and the community at large.

Chamber events and programs

Chamber events and programs provide members with great opportunities to get to know new people and expand their prospect base. Chamber events are innovative and fun ways to help members meet potential customers, clients and vendors.

Make business contacts

The chamber’s fundamental mission is to generate more business activity for the community. The chamber initiates more business-to-business commerce and more opportunities for networking and connecting local professionals than is available through most other local organizations.

Access to members-only discounts and services

Use various discount programs help save money. These differ from chamber to chamber. For example, a member-to member discount program where a chamber member will receive $10 off any phone or accessory purchased from the other local business which is a member of the chamber.

Acquire customer referrals

Every day, your local chamber receives calls from individuals and businesses looking for potential vendors, and chamber members typically recommend chamber members.

Receive chamber newsletters

Newsletters provide new member information, interesting information about operating a local business, articles about the local community, a community calendar and details about up-and-coming chamber events, among other things. But don't send more then 2-4 letters a week, it could be annoying.

If you still don’t think you have time to join and participate in your local chamber of commerce, consider the following:

Most consumers think that being active in the local chamber of commerce is an effective business strategy overall. It’s for communicating to consumers that a company uses good business practices and communicating that a business is reputable.

If a company shows that it’s highly involved in its local chamber (e.g., sits on the chamber board), consumers are more likely to think that its products stack up better against its competition.

When a consumer thinks that a company’s products stack up better against the competition because the company is highly involved in its local chamber of commerce, it is because he or she infers that the company is trustworthy, involved in the community and is an industry leader.

When consumers know that an insurance company is a member of the chamber of commerce, they are more likely to consider buying insurance from it.